Ansiedad preoperatoria en pacientes con colelitiasis de un hospital de la ciudad de Guayaquil, año 2025.

Abstract

Context: Preoperative anxiety arises from uncertainty and worry about anesthesia and surgery, affecting the emotional preparation of patients with cholelithiasis. Objective: To determine the level of preoperative anxiety in patients diagnosed with cholelithiasis at a hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in 2025. Methodological design: Quantitative, descriptive, prospective, and cross-sectional study. Population: 148 patients over 18 years of age diagnosed with cholelithiasis and seen in the preoperative area. Technique: Survey. Instruments: Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) and questionnaire. Results: 24% of the patients with cholelithiasis were between 46 and 55 years old, 64% were female, 52% were overweight, 76% received emergency surgical care, and 80% reported symptoms. Analgesics were the most frequently used preoperative treatment, at 35%, while 76% of patients experienced no complications. Regarding anxiety, 52% reported significant anxiety about the anesthesia, 44% thought about it frequently, and 48% required considerable information. Concerning the surgery itself, 36% reported moderate anxiety, 60% thought about the procedure extensively, and 72% expressed a strong need for information. These findings revealed marked emotional distress during the immediate preparation for cholecystectomy. Overall, a high level of preoperative anxiety was prevalent. Conclusion: The majority of patients experienced elevated anxiety, primarily related to anesthesia, surgery, and the need for information before the procedure.